Can You Get A Mortgage On A House With Polystyrene Tiles?

Published on August 26th, 2022

Obtaining a mortgage on a property with existing damage or safety concerns can be challenging, with only major issues making a property unmortgageable. Do polystyrene ceiling tiles make a house fall into that category?

What are Polystyrene Tiles - Are They Fine in a House?

Polystyrene tiles are a type of foam ceiling tile that is highly flammable and easily ignited, but not illegal. These cost-effective and easily found foam tiles and polystyrene coving materials are not fire resistant.

These tiles are not illegal in bigger cities like London currently but pose a significant fire hazard in most homes, especially if found in a room with high heat, such as a gas boiler or stove.

As a case for concern, it's important to do your due diligence when looking to purchase a building where these tiles exist for underlying damage prior to the sale.

Where do you Find Polystyrene Tiles?

These tiles can be purchased where ay home repair products are sold. In a home, you will find them in a bathroom, a bedroom, a kitchen, ground floors, downstairs in a basement - virtually anywhere.

Some sellers will paint these tiles to make them appear better or cover up damage that might have occurred, such as water damage from the roof for example. If you find these tiles in a home that you are interested in purchasing, you will want to note that and ensure that the walls are damp proof in the event of a wall tile failure.

As mentioned above, polystyrene tiles are not illegal, but their legal status may be up for debate with the local council due to their safety threats. The local authority in London has made it the duty of the landlord to care for the safety of their tenants, the subject of recent debate. If these tiles are found in a home, it will affect the safety of the residents.

What is the Fire Risk?

Houses with these tiles are at an increased risk of fire damage. Early versions of these tiles burn quickly, give off toxic fumes, and drip molten plastic when burning, which can cause severe burns - especially of concern when found in a bedroom or other rooms where a fire could quickly occur.

Getting a mortgage on a home with polystyrene tiles through a lender is possible. Due to building and code restrictions in your area, your interest rates might be higher due to the possibility of a fire hazard from these tiles.

Additionally, lenders and their offices could give you the advice to remove these tiles if you could afford to do so to avoid any damage to your home, which would also come up in your homebuyer's report after a home inspection.

This risk could affect the future market value and price of the property and future mortgages.

All in all, having these tiles will not affect your chances of getting a mortgage if there is no other structural damage to the home.

If you've decided to move forward with your purchase and have any questions about these tiles, make sure to contact your local housing authority.